The  Missionary  Situation 
in  China 


Henry  T.  Hodgk  in 


An  address  delivered  at  the  Foreign  Missions 
Conference  of  North  America  in  Atlantic 
City,  N ew  Jersey  — January  10-13,  1928 


'’Printed  by  order  of  the  Conference 


Foreign  Missions  Conference 
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THE  MISSIONARY  SITUATION  IN  CHINA 


In  attempting  to  give  you  a survey  of  the  missionary  situation 
in  China  I must  preface  my  remarks  by  insisting  upon  the  fact  that 
generalizations  are  dangerous  and  liable  to  be  challenged  from  vari- 
ous points  of  view.  I see  in  the  audience  a number  of  people  whom 
I should  rather  listen  to  than  address,  and  I hope  that  what  I say 
will  be  corrected  by  the  experience  and  viewpoint  of  those  con- 
tributing to  this  discussion.  But  at  least  one  can  try  to  give  the 
situation  as  one  sees  it,  realizing  that  nobody  sees  more  than  a part. 

I think  it  is  necessary  in  looking  at  the  missionary  situation  for 
us  to  reach  it  through  a consideration  first  of  the  general  situation 
in  the  country  as  a whole,  and  secondly  through  a consideration  of 
the  condition  and  point  of  view  of  the  church  in  China.  In  taking 
up  these  questions  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  take  a long  view  and  to 
use  some  point  for  comparison  with  the  conditions  as  we  find  them 
today;  and  in  my  own  mind  I have  been  using  the  period  of  five 
years  as  a convenient  one  for  comparative  thinking. 

I.  THE  GENERAL  SITUATION. 

Let  us  look  then  first  of  all  at  the  general  situation  in  the  coun- 
try, first  of  all  emphasizing  elements  in  which  the  contrast  between 
today  and  five  years  ago  is  fairly  easily  seen  and  then  trying  to  esti- 
mate which  are  the  more  temporary  and  which  are  the  more  per- 
manent elements  in  the  situation. 

(1)  The  most  obvious  change  in  the  situation  is  of  course  due 
to  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Nationalist  armies  under  the  leadership 
of  the  Kuomintang  (Republican  party).  Five  years  ago  the  influence 
of  the  party  was  almost  confined  to  the  southeast  corner  of  China, 
though  of  course  there  were  members  in  other  parts  of  the  country. 
China  as  a whole  was  under  the  influence  of  the  Tuchuns  or  military 
governors  who  had  been  contending  for  position  and  using  the  name 
of  the  republic  without  having  any  convictions  in  regard  to  democracy 
or  in  fact  to  the  public  good.  Of  course  there  were  many  elements 
that  led  to  the  drastic  change  in  fortune  of  the  Republican  party 
which  had  its  headquarters  in  Canton  five  years  ago.  I should  like 
to  emphasize  what  seem  to  me  to  be  the  three  most  important  ones. 

The  first  of  these  was  the  death  of  Dr.  Sun  Yat  Sen.  During 
his  lifetime  this  great  Nationalist  leader  had  not  been  successful  in 
gathering  around  him  a group  of  men  adequate  to  share  with  him 

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and  carry  on  his  policies,  nor  in  winning  the  enthusiastic  support  of 
the  masses  of  the  people.  When  he  died  his  personality  was  at  once 
made  the  central  point  in  a widespread  Republican  propaganda,  and 
the  three  principles  for  which  he  had  contended  were  expounded  in 
numberless  cities  all  over  the  country  at  memorial  services.  Dr. 
Sun’s  portrait  is  reproduced  and  venerated  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
His  will  is  read  as  a sacrament  at  gatherings  of  all  kinds.  His  prin- 
ciples are  taught  in  every  school  and  regarded  as  inspired.  In  fact 
one  may  almost  say  that  from  the  time  of  his  death  Dr.  Sun  became 
a far  greater  force  in  the  life  of  the  country  than  he  ever  had  been 
even  in  his  life,  and  what  happened  might  almost  be  spoken  of  as 
his  canonization. 

The  second  influence  which  has  contributed  to  the  Nationalist 
advance  was  the  opening  of  the  doors  of  the  Republican  party  to 
the  Communists.  This  of  course  took  place  before  Dr.  Sun’s  death, 
as  it  was  by  his  own  deliberate  decision  that  it  was  done.  But  its 
full  effect  was  not  apparent  until  after  he  was  gone.  It  was  made 
possible  largely  by  the  agreement  of  Russia  to  surrender  her  special 
privileges  in  China  and  the  concluding  of  a fresh  treaty  between 
Russia  and  China.  But  the  immediate  object  was  that  the  Kuomin- 
tang  was  in  danger  of  losing  its  enthusiasm  and  becoming  a mere 
group  of  theorists  who  were  by  no  means  agreed  among  themselves. 
Dr.  Sun  saw  that  by  letting  in  the  Communists  he  would  bring  an  - 
element  of  enthusiasm,  vigor  and  efficiency  into  the  party,  and  this 
result  was  achieved.  What  Russia  has  contributed  to  China  has 
not  been  mainly  money  or  munitions.  It  has  been  ideas  in  the  realm 
of  military  training,  party  organization,  the  development  of  laborers’ 
and  peasants’  unions,  and  perhaps  more  important  than  all  the  appli- 
cation of  the  best  technique  to  the  propaganda  department  which  has 
been  coordinated  with  the  military  in  the  armies.  While  the  coming 
of  the  Communists  had  of  course  many  serious  results  for  China, 
it  has  certainly  been  a very  important  not  to  say  a crucial  factor  in 
the  recent  Nationalist  advance. 

The  third  factor  is  the  events  which  took  place  on  and  after  the 
thirtieth  of  May,  1925,  in  Shanghai.  The  main  outlines  of  this 
matter  are  sufficiently  in  your  minds,  but  I would  just  remind  you 
that  it  was  made  the  occasion  for  a widespread  anti-foreign  propa- 
ganda concentrating  largely  upon  my  own  country.  I have  no  desire 
to  apologize  for  the  acts  of  Britain  or  any  other  foreign  power  in 
China,  and  I am  not  by  any  means  oblivious  to  the  very  real  griev- 
ances from  which  China  has  suffered.  Nevertheless,  it  is  true  to  say 
that  these  events  were  emphasized  far  out  of  proportion  to  their  real 
significance,  and  that  the  anti-foreign  propaganda  was  deliberately 
used  as  a means  for  stimulating  the  Nationalist  spirit.  We  have  no 
cause  to  throw  stones  at  China  on  this  account  when  we  remember 
that  in  practically  every  country  in  the  world  the  spirit  of  patriotism 

2 


has  been  developed  -though  antagonism  to  some  other  nation  or 
nations ; and  most  of  all  when  we  think  of  our  own  war  propaganda 
during  the  European  war.  Stress  thrown  upon  the  grievances  which 
China  has  suffered  from  other  nations  was  excessive,  and  was  due 
to  the  value  of  such  propaganda  in  increasing  the  national  spirit. 

As  a result  largely  of  these  three  causes,  each  viewed  alone  a 
misfortune  but  in  their  final  result  very  helpful  to  the  cause  of 
nationalism,  the  movement  swept  forward  with  the  rapidity  and  with 
the  excesses  which  have  frequently  accompanied  such  national  out- 
bursts in  other  countries,  and  to  the  amazement  of  many  who  still 
thought  of  China  in  terms  of  her  ancient  civilization. 

(2)  Largely  as  a result  of  this  movement  we  may  say  that  among 
all  classes  of  Chinese  there  is  a very  great  deal  more  thinking  on 
political  questions  than  was  the  case  five  years  ago.  Then  people 
were  weary  of  the  constant  fightings  and  changes,  in  almost  none  of 
which  could  any  big  principle  be  discerned.  Today  people  feel 
that  there  are  principles  at  stake.  They  are  intensely  interested  in 
political  things.  Politics  is  the  one  subject  of  conversation.  It  invari- 
ably turns  up  when  people  get  together.  In  fact  one  may  say  that 
at  the  moment  the  mind  of  the  country  is  somewhat  obsessed  with 
the  discussion  of  these  political  and  international  issues.  No  doubt 
this  is  a real  danger  to  the  life  of  the  church,  whose  members  could 
not  possibly  avoid  being  swept  into  the  political  maelstrom.  In  our 
judgments  of  actions  taken  by  Christian  bodies  we  have  need  to 
remember  to  what  an  extent  the  mind  of  China  has  been  drawn  into 
the  political  field. 

(3)  It  is  not  only  politics  in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  term 
which  engages  the  mind  of  China  today.  Economic  facts  and  theories 
are  also  constantly  under  discussion.  This  is  largely  due  to  the 
challenge  of  Communism.  A friend  of  mine  recently  was  traveling 
in  his  native  province  of  Hunan,  and  before  the  reaction  against 
Communism  had  set  in  described  to  me  some  of  the  distressing  results 
of  the  crude  application  of  Communistic  principles  to  conditions 
there.  But  he  said  to  me  this : “The  result  of  Communism  has  been 
in  one  respect  good,  because  I find  the  common  people  thinking  on 
economic  questions  as  they  never  have  thought  before.”  He  found 
they  were  asking  questions  of  the  agitators  which  the  latter  were 
unable  to  answer ; that  the  changes  which  had  been  made  were  caus- 
ing them  to  think  into  the  principles  on  which  a stable  economic 
order  can  be  established.  And  though  much  of  this  thinking  is 
vague  and  inconclusive,  the  interest  in  these  questions  among  great 
masses  of  the  people  is  a striking  and  in  itself  a hopeful  aspect  of 
the  present  situation.  It  involves  a very  definite  challenge  to  the 
Christian  Church  and  to  all  who  think  that  they  have  any  construc- 
tive principles  or  policy  to  offer  which  may  help  in  the  solution  of 
China’s  economic  problems. 


3 


(4)  Throughout  China  there  is  a passion  for  unity  which  is 
certainly  much  more  expressive  than  was  the  case  five  years  ago. 
This  passion  for  unity  is  not  confined  to  the  areas  under  the  National- 
ist government.  While  there  are  many  differences  of  opinion  in 
regard  to  the  Kuomintang  and  in  regard  to  the  present  government 
in  Nanking,  there  is  an  ever  growing  unity  in  the  thinking  of  China, 
a unity  which  has  doubtless  been  greatly  fostered  by  the  study  of 
Dr.  Sun’s  three  principles.  Young  China  in  my  opinion  is  not  going 
to  be  satisfied  with  any  adjustment  between  the  rival  groups.  There 
may  be  such  adjustments,  but  in  my  judgment,  if  so  they  will  be 
but  temporary  and  unsatisfactory.  The  demand  for  an  expression 
of  China’s  unity  in  her  national  life  is  practically  universal,  and  is 
only  thwarted  by  the  selfishness  and  shortsightedness  of  her  present 
leaders.  This  temper  of  the  people  is  also  profoundly  significant  in 
its  influence  upon  the  thinking  of  the  Christian  Church. 

(5)  I do  not  purpose  here  to  deal  more  than  very  briefly  with 
the  educational  situation,  but  we  have  to  recognize  here  that  the 
great  advance  in  education  which  was  one  of  the  most  marked  fea- 
tures of  China  of  five  years  ago  has  been  temporarily  halted.  There 
has  been  a steady  determination  among  Chinese  educationalists  to 
bring  the  whole  of  China’s  education  -into  one  system,  and  various 
suggestions  for  registration  have  as  you  know  been  put  out.  But 
it  seems  to  me  that  there  are  two  big  dangers  in  the  present  moment 
which  Chinese  education  is  facing.  The  first  of  these  is  the  danger 
from  the  excesses  and  from  the  somewhat  destructive  nature  of 
much  of  the  propaganda,  and  from  the  consequent  disturbance  of 
regular  study.  Comparatively  few  of  the  present  student  generation 
are  being  adequately  trained  in  the  schools  which  have  been  griev- 
ously upset  in  their  working  during  the  last  few  years.  A further 
danger  is  the  use  of  the  schools  for  party  propaganda.  Such  propa- 
ganda is  just  as  much  open  to  objection  from  an  educational  point  of 
view  as  the  use  of  school  for  religious  proselytism;  and  there  can 
be  no  comparison  between  the  value  in  character  building  of  sound 
Christian  education  on  the  one  hand  and  the  extreme  type  of  party 
propaganda  which  is  seen  in  many  of  the  schools  on  the  other  hand. 
Both  these  dangers  are,  however,  I hope  due  to  passing  conditions 
which  will  tend  to  be  removed  as  the  country  is  unified  and  settled. 

(6)  There  has  no  doubt  been  a considerable  element  of  disillu- 
sionment during  the  last  few  months  in  regard  to  the  whole  situa- 
tion. The  tremendous  enthusiasm  and  confidence  generated  by  the 
Nationalist  movement  to  the  Yangtze  valley  has  given  way  under 
the  shock  produced  by  Communist  excesses  and  by  the  discovery 
that  within  the  party  itself  there  are  strains  and  stresses  and  per- 
sonal differences  which  seriously  threaten  its  power  to  interpret  the 
idealism  of  young  China.  This  disillusionment  has  led  to  a some- 
what more  sober  estimate  of  the  future,  and  I think  we  may  say 

4 


that  many  of  the  best  Chinese  today  are  settling  down  to  the  thought 
of  a longer  period  during  which  China  will  struggle  through  to  the 
fulfillment  of  her  aspirations.  We  hear  many  people  talk  today  of 
ten,  fifteen  or  even  twenty  years  as  a period  which  will  be  marked 
by  a good  deal  of  civil  strife,  unsettlement  and  uncertainty.  But 
this  soberer  view  does  not  mean  that  those  concerned  are  losing 
their  confidence  in  the  ultimate  success  of  the  Nationalist  move- 
ment. 

(7)  During  the  last  few  years  the  anti-foreign  wave  has  been  as 
we  all  know  very  pronounced,  involving  also  a good  deal  of  criticism 
of  Christian  missions.  Even  those  good  things  which  have  been 
done  for  China  by  other  countries  and  by  their  individual  citizens 
are  today  subject  to  criticism  and  perhaps  scarcely  at  all  appreciated. 
There  is  a feeling  that  we  have  given  our  help  to  China  on  our  own 
terms,  and  have  not  been  willing  to  accept  hers.  This  anti-foreign 
movement  is  I think  an  inevitable  accompaniment  of  the  awakening 
of  China  to  the  possibilities  of  a free  development  of  her  national 
life;  but  it  is  for  us  a trying  experience.  Just  now  China  turning 
away  with  a rather  excessive-  repugnance  from  Russia  seems  to  me 
to  be  looking  wistfully  to  England  and  America,  feeling  that  sym- 
pathy, and  it  may  be  practical  help,  should  come  from  some  quarter, 
and  wondering  whether  the  Anglo-Saxon  world  may  not  after  all 
give  her  a more  lasting  and  valuable  friendship  than  anything  which 
in  its  present  mood  the  Slav  world  has  to  offer.  Much  hangs  on 
the  nature  of  the  response. 

Let  me  summarize  very  briefly  what  I see  to  be  the  temporary 
and  more  permanent  elements  in  this  baffling  situation.  I think  that 
we  may  regard  as  temporary  the  following  things : (a)  The  destruc- 
tive wave,  with  an  emphasis  on  throwing  down  ancient  traditions 
and  many  things  that  are  of  value,  as  well  as  others  that  are  effete, 
(b)  The  anti-Christian  movement,  by  which  I mean  the  excessive 
and  intolerant  attitude  which  has  been  shown  in  some  aspects  of 
this  movement.  We  must  of  course  reckon  with  the  fact  that  there 
is  in  China  a philosophical  criticism  of  Christianity,  and  especially 
among  intellectuals,  which  may  last  for  many  a long  day.  But  I 
think  that  the  tendency  to  identify  the  whole  Christian  movement 
with  militarism  and  imperialism  and  economic  exploitation  is  passing 
and  will  rapidly  pass  as  our  acts  and  words  make  clear  that  the 
Christian  criticism  of  these  things  is  as  forthright  as  that  which 
comes  from  any  other  quarter,  (d)  The  anti-foreign  movement. 
This  I believe  will  slowly  subside.  Other  anti-foreign  waves  have 
passed  and  it  certainly  seems  to  me  possible  to  bring  about  the 
subsidence  of  this  wave,  if  the  foreign  governments  will  steadily 
pursue  policies  such  as  those  which  have  been  outlined  both  in  Wash- 
ington and  London  during  the  last  year  or  so.  I do  not  think  the 
Chinese  people,  any  more  than  any  other,  can  live  long  on  hate,  (e) 

5 


Communism.  I think  it  is  extremely  likely  that  the  present  reaction 
against  Communism  may  produce  a further  swinging  back  toward 
Communism.  The  movement  may  be  driven  underground,  and  may 
appear  again.  But  I do  not  believe  that  the  great  mass  of  the  people 
of  China  are  going  to  go  in  for  wild  economic  experiments.  That 
Communistic  thinking  will  have  some  influence  on  the  economic 
development  of  China  may  be  taken  for  granted ; but  the  ideas  of 
class  consciousness  and  class  antagonism  are  in  my  view  imported 
ideas  and  will  not  really  take  root  permanently  in  the  life  of  China, 
(f)  The  chaos  in  which  China  is  today,  the  enormous  increase  of 
banditry,  the  stagnation  of  trade,  and  other  disquieting  symptoms  are 
in  my  view  also  among  the  passing  things.  We  need  not  be  sur- 
prised if  they  last  for  some  time.  But  we  should  not  base  our  poli- 
cies in  China  upon  the  acceptance  of  these  conditions  as  permanent. 
We  should  doubtless  realize  that  while  they  persist  we  must  still  go 
forward  with  our  Christian  service  to  China,  in  such  ways  as  are 
open  to  us.  We  must  not  halt  in  our  advance  until  these  more  tem- 
porary elements  have  entirely  subsided,  but  we  must  try  and  main- 
tain a true  perspective  and  realize  that  a sound  Christian  policy  in 
China  can  only  be  developed  as  we  discriminate  between  the  temporary 
and  the  permanent. 

What  things  then  are  permanent  in  this  situation?  (a)  The 
demand  for  political  unity  is  apparently  permanent  and  will  not  dis- 
appear until  the  end  is  achieved,  (b)  The  economic  and  industrial 
changes  will  go  on  for  many  a long  day,  and  thinking  of  China  in 
regard  to  economic  questions  is  something  which  must  be  reckoned 
with  in  making  our  policies  for  the  future,  (c)  The  demand  for 
Western  education  will  continue,  not  in  an  excessive  way  perhaps, 
but  with  the  determination  to  reach  a synthesis  between  the  thought 
and  experience  in  East  and  West.  We  may  be  sure  that  China  will 
yet  wish  to  go  on  learning  much  from  Western  countries,  (d)  The 
democratic  wave  is  not  going  to  spend  itself  at  once.  China  may  not 
be  ready  yet  for  democracy  in  the  fullest  sense — what  country  is? 
But  she  is  not  going  back  to  monarchy.  She  is  determined  to  be 
master  in  her  own  house.  She  is  not  prepared  to  accept  what  seem 
to  her  to  be  limitations  on  her  rights  as  a great  nation.  That  demand 
will  continue  until  it  is  satisfied,  (e)  China  needs  help  from  the 
West  and  that  need  will  remain  for  many  a long  day.  How  the 
help  is  to  be  given  is  a very  difficult  question.  For  us  to  press  our 
assistance  upon  China  will  probably  mean  to  meet  with  rebuffs,  but, 
in  her  economic  development,  in  various  specialized  lines  of  service, 
in  education  and  in  other  ways,  China  will  be  glad  of  such  help  as 
can  be  given  consistently  with  the  recognition  of  China’s  own  rights 
and  under  the  direction  in  a general  way  of  the  Chinese  people. 

In  this  review  I have  tried  to  bring  before  you  some  of  the 
elements  in  the  general  situation  which  it  is  easy  to  see  bear  directly 

6 


upon  our  whole  thought  about  the  missionary  movement.  We  need 
to  watch  this  situation  with  great  patience  and  yet  with  hope;  to 
stand  ready  to  help  when  China  has  need ; to  learn  to  see  what  is  really 
happening ; to  feel  with  China  in  her  struggles  and  to  avoid  the  irri- 
tation and  the  cynical  criticism  which  may  easily  be  developed,  and 
has  been  developed  by  a good  many  foreigners  who  have  been  in 
the  situation  or  watched  it  from  the  outside. 

11.  THE  CHURCH  IN  CHINA 

When  we  come  to  consider  the  church  in  China  we  are  bound  to 
realize  that  the  term  is  a very  vague  one,  and  if  used  in  the  sense 
of  a fully  organized  and  equipped  institution,  comparable  to  the 
churches  of  the  West,  we  may  almost  say  that  the  church  of  Christ 
in  China  does  not  yet  exist.  But  there  is  a church  in  the  very  real 
sense  of  a great  body  of  men  and  women  who  are  members  of  the 
body  of  Christ ; and  there  are  already  some  methods  in  use  whereby 
these  persons  can  express  themselves  and  can  act  together.  Some 
people  are  inclined  to  discount  the  Chinese  church  because  it  has  not 
yet  acquired  all  the  forms  and  activities  to  which  we  are  accus- 
tomed ; but  it  seems  to  me  a truer  understanding  of  the  situation 
leads  us  to  value  very  highly  what  has  already  come  into  existence 
and  to  take  every  possible  means  of  understanding  its  point  of  view. 
Of  course  I am  again  very  much  alive  to  the  fact  that  generalizations 
are  dangerous  in  regard  to  this  church  whose  leaders  in  the  big  centers 
are  well  trained  men  with  a broad  outlook  and  understanding  of 
public  affairs,  while  in  innumerable  smaller  and  more  distant  places 
there  is  a vast  deal  of  ignorance  and  little  understanding  of  prob- 
lems such  as  we  discuss  here. 

It  seems  to  me  necessary,  however,  to  take  the  church  at  its  high- 
est point  intellectually  and  spiritually,  while  realizing  that  there  is 
this  large  body  of  relatively  unformed  opinion.  Let  me  put  in  a few 
propositions  what  the  church  is  not.  It  is  not  fully  organized  for 
carrying  on  all  functions  of  the  Christian  church  as  we  understand 
it.  It  is  not  economically  independent.  It  is  not  on  fire  with 
evangelistic  zeal.  It  is  not  sure  of  its  own  mind.  It  still  needs  to 
do  more  thinking  in  regard  to  the  great  Christian  fundamentals  and 
how  to  express  them.  It  is  but  dimly  feeling  after  adequate  doctrines 
of  God  and  Christ  and  the  nature  of  the  church. 

But  what  is  far  more  important  is  to  consider  what  the  church 
is.  (1)  The  church  of  Christ  in  China  is  Chinese.  This  means 
that  through  the  Christian  leaders  in  their  church  life  there  is  a pos- 
sibility of  understanding  the  Chinese  point  of  view  as  it  is  impossible 
even  for  those  of  us  who  have  been  longest  in  the  country  to  do.  The 
Chinese  people  or  churches  may  make  mistakes  in  ways  that  we 
should  be  quick  to  see  and  criticize.  But  let  us  remember  that  we 
foreigners  make  many  mistakes  that  they  see,  just  because  we  are 

7 


not  Chinese,  and  have  not  the  feel  of  the  situation  as  a Chinese 
group  has.  This  is  a tremendous  asset. 

(2)  The  Chinese  church  has  a genuine  Christian  experience. 
We  may  feel  doubt  about  many  of  the  expressions  of  the  Christian 
faith  which  come  from  China,  but  let  us  be  very  sure  of  this : There 
are  multitudes  of  men  and  women  today  in  China  who  know  the 
power  of  Christ  in  their  own  lives,  who  have  found  him  for  them- 

' selves.  This  itself  must  give  us  great  confidence  in  the  Chinese 
church.  Let  me  give  to  you  a few  words  from  a leading  Qiinese 
Christian  whose  writings  have  come  under  criticism  because  it  has 
been  said  that  they  are  not  what  some  people  regard  as  orthodox. 
Let  us  listen  to  what  he  has  to  say  in  a very  recent  statement : 

“We  have  been  hearing,  not  perhaps  without  a measure  of 
impatience,  that  we  must  interpret  Christianity  in  terms  of 
Chinese  culture.  There  is  a good  deal  in  it ; but  what  we  really 
need  is  a thorough  understanding  of  the  teachings  of  Jesus, 
and  a direct  experience  of  Christ,  through  a living  of  His  kind 
of  life.  The  Christian  message  is  clearly  far  above  what  Con- 
fucius can  offer  and  what  his  followers  will  give.  Mankind 
wants  God.  My  personal  opinion  is  that  God  can  be  found 
in  clear  expression  only  in  the  Lord  incarnate,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  The  greatest  task  ahead,  it  seems  to  me,  is  a 
creating  of  the  direct  experience  of  God  through  our  faith  in 
Christ.  The  Christian  message  lies  clearly  in  the  definite 
faith  in  God  as  Father,  with  whom  His  believing  children 
can  have  personal  communion  through  the  living  of  a life  as 
exemplified  in  Jesus,  a life  of  moving  and  conquering  love. 
It  is  clear  that  Gonfucius  has  not  given  us  a gospel,  a simple 
yet  magnificent  gospel,  of  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  who 
wants  us  all  to  be  like  Christ,  and  to  have  the  most  abundant 
life,  that  contains  in  it  a wonderful  peace  and  joy  and  a con-, 
tact  with  everlasting  reality.” 

I give  this  not  of  course  as  an  isolated  expression,  but  as  the  kind 
of  thing  I have  heard  again  and  again  from  Chinese  Christians.  Let 
us  thank  God  for  their  genuine  religious  experience. 

(3)  The  Chinese  church  is  Nationalistic  in  its  outlook.  It  would 
I think  be  fair  to  say  that  throughout  the  entire  country  Chinese 
Christians  are  in  sympathy  with  the  Nationalist  movement  and  are 
eager  for  its  complete  success.  They  may  be  too  nationalistic.  They 
may  be  too  little  alive  to  the  international  conception  of  the  Christian 
faith.  But  that  is  a thing  which  I think  vdll  right  itself.  Chinese 
Christians  see  in  the  national  issues  that  are  being  raised  today,  and 
more  particularly  in  China’s  relation,  to  foreign  nations,  grave  moral 
issues,  and  there  is  a very  genuine  feeling  that  on  these  moral  issues 

8 


Chinese  Christians,  and  if  necessary  the  church  itself,  should  be  pre- 
pared to  speak  with  no  uncertain  Voice. 

(4)  The  Chinese  church  is  beginning  to  awaken  to  its  social 
duties.  Already  Chinese  Christians  have  expressed  themselves  on 
such  questions  as  opium,  where  a grave  social  evil  must  be  resisted 
with  all  the  power  possible.  Not  a few  have  suffered  for  their  out- 
spokenness on  this  question.  Again  and  again  in  retreats  and  small 
groups  of  Christian  Chinese  I have  found  the  deepest  concern  in 
regard  to  family  life,  and  a determination  on  the  part  of  Chinese 
Christians  that  in  the  profound  changes  taking  place  in  this  sphere 
the  principles  of  Jesus  shall  be  made  clear,  and  that  the  church  should 
use  its  influence  to  see  that  they  prevail.  On  industrial  questions 
there  is  also  the  beginning  of  a real  attempt  to  deal  with  these  com- 
plex matters  in  the  spirit  of  Jesus.  The  Chinese  church  is  groping — 
as  we  all  are — but  in  the  conference  held  by  the  National  Christian 
Council  last  summer  a very  serious  attempt  was  made  to  face  up  to 
the  problems  of  rural  life  and  of  industry  in  the  big  cities  from 
the  standpoint  of  Jesus  Christ. 

(5)  The  church  in  China  is  beginning  to  take  hold  of  its  respon- 
sibilities. It  is  not  yet  able  to  take  them  all,  but  it  has  made  very 
real  progress,  especially  during  the  last  year  or  two.  There  will  be 
disappointments — there  have  been  in  the  past — where  those  who  are 
called  to  take  responsible  positions  fail  to  realize  what  they  are  under- 
taking and  do  not  meet  the  situation  satisfactorily.  But  one  of  the 
greatest  problems  now  is  to  see  that  we  do  not  take  back  from  the 
Chinese,  unconsciously  and  perhaps  unwillingly,  responsibilities  which 
they  have  begun  to  carry  in  these  times  of  special  stress,  and  which 
we  may  feel  that  they  are  not  bearing  quite  as  well  as  we  had  hoped. 
As  a matter  of  fact  in  many  cases  the  surprising  thing  is  to  see  how 
finely  these  fresh  responsibilities  have  been  carried  by  Chinese  Chris- 
tians. 

(6)  The  Chinese  church  is  ready  to  learn.  It  is  not  feeling  self- 
sufficient.  It  is  not  pushing  aside  the  foreigners.  Here  and  there 
manifestos  have  been  issued  which  may  seem  to  suggest  that  point 
of  view,  but  these  are  the  rare  exceptions.  Chinese  Christians 
have  repeatedly  said  that  they  still  want  missionaries,  that  they  feel 
greatly  the  need  of  help  from  abroad.  But  we  have  to  remember 
that  they  need  that  help  to  be  given  in  the  right  way,  and  they  are 
becoming  more  and  more  articulate  in  regard  to  the  kind  of  help 
which  they  are  prepared  to  welcome.  They  may  not  always  be  as 
ready  to  learn  as  they  are  today.  There  may  be  some  day  a much 
deeper  spiritual  revolt  against  ideas  which  have  come  from  without ; 
but  I think  if  that  comes  it  will  be  our  fault  for  not  taking  in  the 
right  way  the  opportunity  to  help  the  Church  in  China  today. 

(7)  The  Chinese  church  is  eager  for  experiment.  It  is  not  pre- 
pared simply  to  continue  along  old  lines  because  they  have  worked 

9 


in  the  past.  It  has  in  it  the  spirit  of  adventure.  These  experiments 
may  lead  into  unconventional  lines  and  paths.  They  may  involve 
what  we  should  call  tremendous  mistakes ; it  may  mean  breaking 
away  from  ideas  which  we  have  cherished  and  tried  to  inculcate;  but 
I believe  most  firmly  that  we  have  to  trust  the  Spirit  of  Truth  who 
I am  confident  is  guiding  that  church. 

(8)  The  church  of  Christ  in  China  is  seeking  for  a fuller  expres- 
sion of  unity.  Whether  that  is  to  come  along  the  lines  of  the  re- 
cently organized  church  of  Christ  in  China  or  in  other  ways  there  is 
no  time  here  to  discuss,  nor  should  I wish  to  prophesy  on  this  ques- 
tion. But  I am  convinced  that  the  sentiment  toward  unity  which 
I have  already  noted  in  the  country  at  large  is  very  fully  shared  by 
the  church,  and  that  anything  which  seems  like  standing  in  the  way 
of  it  on  our  part  would  be  most  inadvisable  in  these  days. 

(9)  The  church  in  China  is  the  Church  of  the  Living  God.  He 
is  looking  after  it,  and  it  is  not  for  us  to  rush  in  too  eagerly,  to  try 
and  prevent  what  seems  to  us  to  be  mistaken  policies  or  ideas.  Let 
us  give  thanks  rather,  with  all  our  hearts,  that  God  has  created  and 
is  using  this  church,  expressing  itself  in  different  ways  and  through 
different  organizations.  Let  us  study  with  ever  greater  care  how 
we  may  play  our  part  truly  in  futhering  the  work  of  God  through 
His  own  childen  in  China. 

III.  THE  MISSIONARY  BODY 

Having  looked  at  the  general  situation  and  at  the  church  in  China 
I want  to  say  a few  things  about  the  missionary  body.  And  here 
perhaps  even  more  than  in  the  other  cases  I realize  the  very  great 
difficulty  of  making  generalizations.  But  I can  give  you  for  what 
it  is  worth  my  impression  of  the  state  of  mind  of  those  of  us  who 
belong  to  the  missionary  body  in  China. 

(1)  The  missionary  body  has  been  badly  shaken  and  somewhat 
confused.  There  is  no  doubt  that  many  are  bewildered.  Perhaps 
we  are  beginning  to  get  through  this  stage,  but  the  effects  of  the 
last  few  years  have  not  passed.  The  anti-Christian  movement;  the 
necessity  for  evacuation  from  many  parts  of  China;  the  grave  dis- 
appointment of  many  of  our  hopes  when  the  Nanking  incident  took 
place ; the  questioning  as  to  the  future  which  arises  through  realizing 
the  significance  of  the  growth  of  the  church  in  China — all  these  are 
factors  which  must  be  seriously  weighed,  and  they  have  had  in 
greater  or  less  degree  their  effect  upon  missionaries  all  over  China. 
I do  not  think  it  is  any  wonder  that  there  has  been  some  confusion 
and  even  some  sense  of  discouragement. 

(2)  The  missionary  body  is  in  deep  sympathy  with  China  in  her 
stupendous  struggle.  There  may  be,  there  are,  individuals  who  do 
not  know  how  to  show  that  sympathy.  There  are  some  who  feel  it 

10 


much  less  than  others.  There  are  some  who  are  so  afraid  of  entering 
into  politics  that  they  stgjid  aside  and  perhaps  are  misunderstood  by 
their  Chinese  brethren.  But  broadly  speaking,  I have  no  doubt  in 
saying  that  the  great  mass  of  missionaries  have  the  deepest  sym- 
pathy with  China  in  the  supreme  effort  she  is  now  making  to  find 
and  express  her  new  life. 

(3)  The  missionary  body  believes  that  China  will  come  out 
triumphant  through  this  period  of  unsettlement.  Here  and  there  you 
may  find  individual  missionaries  who  look  cynically  and  doubtfully 
on  the  whole  situation,  but  I am  confident  that  the  vast  majority  look 
forward  with  real  expectation  to  the  triumph  of  the  principles  of 
freedom  and  righteousness  in  China.  We  believe  that  the  Chinese 
people  will  not  be  swept  away  by  wild  extremes.  We  believe  that 
in  time  they  will  find  a leadership  worthy  to  carry  the  movement 
forward  to  success.  This  optimism  seems  to  me  to  be  based  upon 
our  knowledge  of  the  people  with  whom  we  have  lived  and  upon  our 
deep  conviction  that  God  is  moving  in  this  great  land  today. 

(4)  Missionaries  generally  where  they  have  been  compelled  to 
leave  their  work  are  eager  to  be  back,  but  many  are  uncertain  as  to 
the  wisdom  of  returning.  A few  missionaries  have  felt  that  the 
time  has  come  for  them  to  give  up  their  work,  but  in  the  main  they 
desire  once  more  to  be  on  the  spot,  facing  difficulty  and  the  oppor- 
tunities of  this  day  with  their  Chinese  friends.  They  question  in 
many  cases  the  wisdom  of  going  back  too  soon.  Where  Chinese  have 
stepped  into  new  positions  missionaries  are  anxious  that  they  should 
work  there  long  enough  to  carry  on  even  when  their  missionary 
friends  come  back,  and  might  naturally  be  expected  to  slip  into  the 
old  relationships.  Something  has  happened  through  this  difficult 
time.  A stage  has  in  many  cases  been  passed  which  might  other- 
wise have  been  delayed  for  many  years,  and  we  are  eager  to  guide 
our  actions  in  such  a way  that  we  shall  not  lose  the  gains  and  slip 
back,  almost  unconsciously,  to  the  past  position. 

(5)  The  missionaries  are  delighted  to  see  the  Chinese  Chris- 
tians taking  this  larger  responsibility.  For  some  missionaries  this 
means  retirement;  for  some  stepping  down  from  important  posi- 
tions into  secondary  ones.  In  not  a few  cases  it  means  facing  life 
afresh  at  a time  when  this  involves  real  hardship;  and  I know  some 
who  have  found  the  difficulty  of  making  the  adjustment  very,  very 
great.  But  even  while  suffering  themselves  it  seems  to  me  that  most 
missionaries  have  with  great  gladness  accepted  the  idea  that  these 
larger  responsibilities  can  now  be  taken  by  their  Chinese  brethren. 

(6)  Missionaries  are  also  convinced  that  there  is  still  a great 
need  for  missionary  service  in  China.  Here  and  there  individuals 
may  have  to  step  out,  but  there  lies  before  us  a vast  land  to  be  pos- 
sessed. Some  may  be  uncertain  today  as  to  their  message  or  as  to 
the  methods  which  they  should  use.  There  is  a good  deal  of  ques- 

11 


tioning  on  somewhat  fundamental  lines.  I believe  that  broadly 
speaking  the  missionary  body  is  convinced  that  China  still  needs 
what  the  churches  in  the  West  have  to  give*  if  we  will  but  give  it  in 
the  right  way. 

(7)  I find  further  that  among  many  missionaries  there  is  a 
great  desire  to  get  down  to  the  deeper  things.  This  period  of  con- 
centration upon  political  and  economic  questions  has  been  trying  to 
not  a few.  While  ready  to  do  all  we  can  to  interpret  the  meaning  of 
Jesus  in  the  larger  life  of  mankind,  there  are  many  who  feel  that 
there  is  a danger  of  slipping  away  from  the  central  spiritual  emphasis 
which  we  need  in  our  own  life  and  in  our  own  work.  I have  had 
peculiar  opportunities  of  observing  this  during  the  last  few  months 
and  have  received  scores  of  letters  from  missionaries  emphasizing 
this  yearning  for  a richer  spiritual  life  and  a stonger  emphasis  in  the 
future  on  our  distinctly  religious  message. 

(8)  The  missionary  body  is  increasingly  ready  to  take  risks. 
In  regard  to  our  attitude  toward  military  protection  and  the  “unequal 
treaties”  there  are  of  course  still  many  differences  of  opinion ; but  I 
have  seen  a great  change  during  the  last  few  years,  and  it  seems 
to  me  that  many  missionaries  have  come  to  realize  that  the  only  way 
in  which  we  can  carry  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  China 
with  any  satisfaction  to  ourselves,  or  with  any  confidence  of  com- 
mending it  to  the  people,  is  through  giving  up  all  such  privileges  and 
rights  and  taking  our  stand  in  these  difficult  days  along  with  our 
Chinese  brethren.  Many  I am  sure  are  yearning  for  some  escape 
from  the  relationship  which  they  have  been  compelled  to  take  to 
the  military  expression  of  the  national  life. 


IV,  OUTSTANDING  PROBLEMS 

In  the  light  of  this  review  what  have  we  to  say  about  the  prob- 
lems confronting  us  today?  Pardon  me  if  shortness  of  time  makes 
me  more  dogmatic  than  I wish  to  be. 

(1)  Let  us  consider  first  those  that  bring  up  our  relationship 
to  our  governments,  (a)  What  ought  we  to  do,  if  anything,  about 
the  “unequal  treaties”?  It  seems  very  clear  to  me  that  there  is  a 
difference  between  the  position  of  the  missionary  and  that  of  the 
business  man.  We  may  at  once  admit  that  the  problem  of  the 
immediate  revision  of  treaties  is  very  difficult.  Missionaries  and 
missionary  boards  have  expressed  themselves  as  eager  to  see  those 
treaties  revised  and  new  ones  brought  up  on  a basis  of  equality  and 
reciprocity.  The  processes  for  carrying  this  into  effect  are  necessarily 
tedious ; but  the  missionary  position  surely  must  be  this,  that  the 
sooner  we  can  be  rid  of  this  incubus  the  better ; that  the  Gospel 
which  we  came  to  preach  is  hindered  by  our  claiming  even  the  rights 
which  we  may  fairly  claim.  I hope  that  some  way  may  be  found 

12 


whereby  missionaries  can  be  recognized  by  governments  as  standing 
in  a diflferent  position  to  business  men,  not  because  they  claim  more 
rights  but  because  they  claim  less. 

(b)  , What  ought  we  to  do  about  consular  advice?  It  is  clear  that 
the  consuls  are  not  in  position  to  give  definite  instructions  to  mis- 
sionaries. No  doubt  it  is  right  where  possible  to  follow  advice.  But 
I for  myself  am  very  glad  indeed  that  a number  of  missionaries  have 
not  followed  consular  advice  during  the  last  year  or  two.  I do  not 
think  that  we  ought  for  one  moment  to  contrast  the  missionaries  who 
have  stayed  at  their  stations  with  those  who  have  gone  away.  A 
multitude  of  considerations  have  come  in,  and  neither  those  who 
stayed  or  those  who  have  gone  away  are  desirous  that  such  contrasts 
should  be  made.  I believe  it  was  best  that  most  should  come  away. 
I also  believe  that  great  service  has  been  rendered  through  some 
staying,  for  it  has  shown  clearly  to  the  Chinese  that  the  missionary 
movement  is  not  simply  a part  of  the  political  expression  of  the  vari- 
ous nations.  We  must  remember  that  we  have  had  to  take  these  de- 
cisions at  a time  when  the  church  has  been  under  the  fiercest  criticism 
because  of  its  supposed  subservience  to  governments  which  are 
being  criticised.  I am  therefore  very  glad  that  it  has  been  shown 
clearly  that  in  the  last  resort  we  owe  our  allegiance  to  a higher 
power  than  an  earthly  one. 

(c)  What  are  we  to  do  about  indemnities?  Here  again  I must 
be  dogmatic  and  simply  give  my  own  opinion  which  is  this,  that  we 
ought  not  to  file  claims  for  indemnities  either  on  account  of  loss  of 
life  or  property.  I do  not  believe  that  indemnities  claimed  by  our 
governments  on  our  behalf  will  in  the  end  bring  good  results  to  the 
Kingdom  of  God.  If  an  indemnity  is  freely  offered  by  any  Chinese 
body  I think  the  question  of  accepting  it  should  be  considered  with- 
out prejudice,  and  there  may  be  cases  where  it  should  be  accepted ; 
but  my  own  conviction  is  that  we  should  not  make  any  claim. 

(2)  Problems  involving  relationship  to  the  Chinese  church.  In 
this  connection  the  main  point  to  emphasize  is  that  we  are  reaching 
a stage  in  China  where  we  must  more  adequately  recognize  the 
rights  of  the  Chinese  church  even  if  it  is  not  yet  fully  organized 
or  sure  of  its  own  mind.  We  have  got  to  discover  ways  by  which 
the  Chinese  can  be  more  effectively  related  to  the  whole  missionary 
movement,  including  the  use  of  missionaries,  the  training  of  mis- 
sionaries, and  even  the  selection  and  call  of  missionaries.  I will  put 
it  to  you  that  there  is  great  need  for  our  various  Boards  .to  enter  into 
a serious  consideration  of  this  topic  in  order  that  we  may  find  out 
what  methods  will  really  be  most  conducive  toward  the  end  we  have 
in  view,  that  we  in  foreign  lands  should  serve  this  Chinese  church 
at  the  points  and  in  the  way  which  it  most  desires.  The  process  of 
working  this  out  may  be  a long  one,  but  the  time  has  now  come  to 
face  up  to  it  and  to  bring  our  Chinese  friends  into  consultation  with 

13 


US,  so  that  it  may  be  adequately  carried  through.  Furthermore,  there 
is  need  that  we  should  appreciate  more  fully  the  nature  of  the  demand 
of  the  Chinese  Christians  for  clearing  out  of  the  way  the  differences 
which  separate  Christians  in  China  from  one  another.  It  is  nothing 
short  of  a crime  that  there  should  be  acute  controversy  within  the 
church  in  China,  which  has  originated  in  other  lands  and  been  intro- 
duced from  without.  But  apart  from  this  acute  controversy  there 
are  the  barriers  which  separate  one  group  of  Qiristians  from  another, 
and  the  time  has  come  when  we  should  make  absolutely  clear  to  our 
Chinese  friends  that  we  hold  them  free  to  move  forward  toward  a 
united  church,  toward  fresh  experiences  of  Qiristian  faith,  toward 
fresh  forms  and  rights  or  toward  the  discarding  of  these  as  they  may 
be  led  by  the  Spirit.  I wonder  whether  a very  clear  pronouncement 
on  the  essential  rights  of  the  church  in  China  to  move  in  its  own 
way  might  not  be  desirable.  While  efforts  are  being  made  in  various 
ways  to  discover  the  opinion  of  Chinese,  let  us  remember  that  in 
the  minds  of  many  Chinese  Christians  there  is  a subconscious  con- 
viction that  action  along  certain  lines  will  dry  up  the  sources  of 
supply  or  will  bring  to  an  end  the  effective  cooperation  of  Western 
with  Eastern  churches. 

(3)  What  are  the  main  gifts  which  the  churches  of  the  West 
have  to  bring  to  China  today?  This  problem  must  of  course  be 
worked  out  with  our  Chinese  friends,  but  perhaps  you  will  allow 
me  to  give  a few  thoughts  upon  it. 

(a)  China  seems  to  need  more  help  than  we  are  yet  giving  her 
in  the  thinking  out  of  the  meaning  of  the  Christian  faith  in  relation 
both  to  China’s  own  past  and  to  the  problems  of  thought  which  are 
being  created  for  the  modern  mind.  What  concerns  me  in  thinking 
of  the  independent  development  of  the  church  in  China  is  not  so 
much  the  problem  of  money  or  missionaries  or  effective  organization ; 
It  is  rather  the  question  as  to  whether  there  are  enough  men  and 
women  to  lead  the  church  into  a strong  and  dynamic  expression  of 
the  Christian  faith,  adequate  to  meet  the  needs  of  today.  I wish  to 
suggest  to  you  that  the  time  has  come  when  the  visits  of  senior  men 
and  women  for  periods  of  one,  two  or  three  years  to  China  should 
be  taken  up  much  more  seriously  and  worked  out  definitely.  Hitherto 
these  visits  have  largely  been  haphazard.  Some  one  has  the  idea  that 
his  sabbatical  year  might  be  spent  in  a world  tour.  Some  group  of 
people  think  that  they  would  like  to  send  a loved  and  honored  friend 
to  the  Far  East.  In  China  different  groups  take  hold  of  such  a prop- 
osition and  very  often  the  individual  is  simply  sent  around  to  the 
same  few  places,  spending  far  too  little  time  in  each,  and  many  of 
the  smaller  but  very  important  places  are  omitted  altogether.  It 
seems  to  me  the  time  has  come  to  coordinate  this  work  and  to  make 
it  a very  definite  part  of  the  missionary  enterprise.  I should  like 
to  see  congregations  doing  the  far  more  difficult  thing  of  setting  aside 

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their  pastor  for  one  or  two  5^ears  for  work  in  the  field  instead  of 
simply  sending  a young  man  as  a missionary.  I should  like  to  see 
provision  made  for  leaders  of  thought  to  spend  long  enough  in  a 
few  university  centers  to  dig  right  into  the  big  questions  of  the  day 
with  the  best  type  of  Chinese.  Much  could  be  done  in  the  English 
language.  I believe  we  owe  this  kind  of  absolutely  first  class  help 
to  China  and  it  seems  to  me  that  if  we  put  2^4  or  5 per  cent  of  the 
expenditures  of  our  Boards  in  China  aside  for  this  purpose  we  should 
be  doing  a very  worth  while  piece  of  service. 

(b)  I suggest  that  the  times  we  are  facing  in  China  call  for 
the  very  best  thing  that  we  can  bring  and  the  honest  facing  of 
facts.  It  seems  to  me  one  of  China’s  greatest  difficulties  today  is 
unwillingness  to  look  quite  squarely  at  all  the  facts  in  the  situation. 
Our  missionary  schools  and  colleges  can  do  no  greater  thing  than  to 
turn  out  Tnen  and  women  who  have  a tremendous  respect  for  facts 
and  are  determined  to  know  the  truth.  In  selecting  candidates  for 
the  mission  field  we  need  to  have  men  and  women  who  know  at  least 
one  subject  so  well  that  they  know  what  it  means  to  be  absolutely 
master  of  it,  rather  than  having  a slight  knowledge  of  many  things. 
Through  such  men  and  women  the  Christian  church  at  home  should 
be  able  greatly  to  serve  the  whole  cause  of  Christ  in  China. 

(c)  I would  further  suggest  that  in  regard  to  the  economic  prob- 
lems which  China  is  facing  today  the  churches  at  home  ought  to  be 
able  to  make  a big  contribution.  We  have  at  least  had  the  experience 
of  passing  through  our  own  industrial  revolution.  We  are  beginning 
to  think  our  way  into  new  alignments  in  the  world  of  capital  and 
labor.  A number  of  people  in  our  churches  are  facing  fearlessly 
the  implications  of  the  Christian  faith  in  relation  to  industry.  We 
need  to  help  Chinese  Christians  to  realize  that  a mere  redistribution 
of  wealth  is  not  a sufficient  solution  of  their  problem,  and  that  they 
need  to  stimulate  larger  productivity  along  right  lines.  We  need  to 
bring  continuous  constructive  criticisms  to  bear  upon  some  of  the 
wild  theories  that  exist  in  China  today.  In  this  connection  I think 
the  churches  of  the  West  ought  to  be  able  to  make  a big  contribu- 
tion. 

(d)  And  finally,  we  need  to  help  the  church  in  China  to  a new 
evangelism.  This  is  perhaps  our  very  greatest  need.  Some  of  the 
older  methods  are  no  longer  proving  successful.  Some  of  the  older 
emphases  must  be  forsaken,  but  what  of  the  new?  How  are  we  to 
make  the  message  of  the  living  Christ  powerful  for  individuals  and 
for  the  whole  of  this  great  people?  Surely  here  we  need  to  sit  down 
with  our  Chinese  brethren  and  face  the  demands  of  a new  age,  to 
go  out  with  them,  to  experiment,  and  to  serve  in  the  spirit  of  Christ. 

Coming  through  Japan  I found  that  the  Japanese  people  are 
beginning  to  feel  the  emptiness  of  a material  civilization ; that  many 
thoughtful  men  and  women  are  seeking  a spiritual  basis  for  their 

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new  national  life.  The  question  is  whether  the  Christian  church  in 
Japan  will  be  able  to  meet  this  new  and  amazingly  hopeful  demand. 
It  looks  as  if  many  of  the  churches  were  unfit  to  do  so.  What  about 
the  church  in  China?  Is  it  not  certain  that  sooner  or  later  the  em- 
phasis on  the  material  things,  on  politics  and  economics  will  pass 
and  give  place  to  a deeper  expression  of  the  national  aspirations  and 
longing  to  find  some  spiritual  basis  for  their  new  life?  When  such  a 
time  comes  we  need  to  be  ready  to  give  the  Gospel,  not  just  simply 
by  repeating  the  formulae  of  the  past,  but  in  the  most  vital  modern 
way  so  that  Jesus  Christ  may  be  seen  by  the  people  of  China  to  be 
what  He  is — their  one  hope  of  salvation.  Above  all  other  things  I 
long  that  we  of  the  West  may  be  able  to  help  China  at  this  point. 

Dr.  Henry  T.  Hodgkin. 


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